‘œA thing long expected takes the form of the unexpected when at last it comes.’ ‘“ Mark Twain

Heath LedgerOver the weekend, my new Hollywood insider, Bronson Page tipped me off that Heath Ledger’s will named his parents and sister without any mention of Michelle Williams and their daughter, Matilda. How could that be? Well, he never updated his will while he was with Michelle.

Heather Ledger’s will was written and filed in 2003 before his relationship with Michelle Williams and the 2005 birth of their daughter Matilda Rose, New York’s Daily News reports. The actor’s will had not been updated before his death.

The documents go on to reveal that Ledger had less than $145,000 in New York assets at the time, including a $25,000 Toyota Prius and $20,000 in furniture and fixtures.

His greater wealth now is uncertain. It’s rumored his estate is worth $20 million after earnings from the latest Batman movie are calculated. No joker there.

While his family quickly promised Matilda would be taken care of, Michelle has already been warned by two of Ledger’s uncles that she may, ‘œhave to fight to ensure her infant daughter receives part of her famous father’s fortune.’

Of course, this is all speculation and the media has a way of sensationalizing at any hint of scuttle, but it’s a good reminder about the importance of preparing a will and keeping it current. If you’re an adult with assets, there isn’t any excuse for not having one.

Do you need an attorney to prepare a will? Well, legally no, but practically speaking, yes. 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy explains it this way:

A will does not need to be prepared by an attorney for it to be legally effective. A will that you draft yourself, or even a preprinted will form purchased in an office supply store, will be legally effective if you are of legal age in your state (i.e., 18), are mentally competent, and execute the will properly. This means the will must be acknowledged and signed by you in front of witnesses. The required number and age of the witnesses varies from state to state, though two witnesses who are at least age 18 is typical. In addition, the witnesses should not be anyone who will benefit under your will. Some states also require that a will must be notarized to be legally effective.

However, most people feel uncomfortable with a do-it-yourself will. They generally have some questions that should be addressed by an experienced estate planning attorney. In addition, some people have more than just basic concerns or are in complex situations where drafting the will properly is vital. Legal assistance can help ensure that your intentions are clearly communicated and no questions exist at the time of your death. You should also seriously consider professional assistance if your personal situation includes concerns such as:

  • You have minor children, children from a prior marriage, or a beneficiary with special needs
  • You own significant assets and are concerned about minimizing estate taxes at your death
  • You want to achieve certain goals, such as controlling the management and distribution of your property after your death
  • You have heirs you wish to disinherit, or there is a chance your will may be contested after your death

Looking for a quick fix? For $13.50 get your feet wet with Suze Orman’s Will & Trust Kit. I’m not a big fan of people hawking products like this over the Internet but she’s a reputable source (and one of us) and it will at least get you started with the four ‘œmust-have documents’:

  • Will
  • Revocable Trust
  • Financial Power of Attorney
  • Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care

Here are a few other tips about document planning from our Domestic Partnership Checklist:

Make a will
If you own your house jointly, don’t assume that your partner will automatically receive it if you die. A will and/or a trust confirming your intentions can help ensure that your assets pass as you desire. If you die without a will, intestacy laws will not leave your assets to an unrelated partner.

List beneficiaries
Many assets, such as life insurance, 401(k)s and individual retirement accounts, are transferred outside the will and are not subject to probate. Thus, same-sex couples may wish to list each other as beneficiaries on individual accounts and policies. On non-retirement accounts, consider establishing Transfer On Death (TOD) provisions where permissible under applicable state law.

Make a property agreement
If you put your partner on the title, you may be making an irrevocable gift. Another approach to consider is creating a property agreement or joint tenancy agreement in order to address the possibilities of death or separation.

It’s always best to turn to the professionals for advice. Find yourself an experienced estate planning attorney and make arrangements. Life has unexpected turns and we all die at some point. If thinking about death gives you the heebie jeebies, put the anxiety aside and get your paperwork in order. It’s not that hard. Ledger had a toddler counting on it. Who’s counting on you?